Text Set: Emily Hall & Ashley Warren

SOL: USI.6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the causes and results of the
American Revolution by
c) describing key events and the roles of key individuals in the American
Revolution, with emphasis on George Washington, Benjamin Franklin,
Thomas Jefferson;

1) A Picture Book of Thomas Jefferson by David A. Adler (TeachingBooks)

Publication Date- 1990
Readability- 4.5 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This biography traces the life and achievements of the architect,
bibliophile, president, and author of the Declaration of Independence. This book
would be a good read aloud for grades 2-5.
Classroom Activity - This story follows the life time of Thomas Jefferson, so students
could make a timeline of significant events in his life. This activity could happen on
paper, and students could illustrate the timeline, because the illustrations of this
story are very significant.
2) James Monroe: Fifth President by Mike Venezia (Scholastic)
Publication Date- 2004
Readability- 5.8 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary/Notes- books have lots of jokes and are a little easier to read...good for
reluctant readers, could be read aloud, lots of passive sentences. Not my favorite or
highest quality book, pictures and jokes are fun; maybe a good book to have set up
in classroom, but not have direct instruction from.
Classroom Activity - There are several cartoons in this story. Students could draw
their own cartoon strip teaching a friend about 5 facts they learned about James
Monroe.

3) A Picture Book of Dolley and James Madison by David A. Adler (TeachingBooks)

Publication Date- 2009
Readability - 5.5 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This is a biography of Dolley and James Madison. I think it would be a
great read aloud or independent reading story. It is easy to follow and to be
discussed.
 Classroom Activity- This story focuses on significant accomplishments of Dolley and
James Madison. I would have students fill out a venn diagram comparing and
contrasting Dolley and James Madison accomplishments.

4) The Revolutionary John Adams by Cheryl Harness (TeachingBooks)

Publication Date- 2003
Readability - 7 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- Grades: 3-5 (read aloud? At home read aloud?). This book may be way
too difficult to use in a classroom
Classroom Activity- I think this would be a good book to use anticipation guide for.
Students could fill out an anticipation guide about John Adams before reading and
then fill it out again once reading.
5) James Madison: Fourth President by Mike Venezia (Scholastic)
Publication Date- 2008
Readability - 5.3 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- Again, similar to the James Monroe book, this story has a readability
level, and lots of cartoons. Its not the best piece of literature, but its fun to read
because of the cartoons. I would have this book set up in my classroom, but not use
it as a formal instruction book.
Classroom Activity- There are several cartoons in this story. Students could draw
their own cartoon strip teaching a friend about 5 facts they learned about James
Madison.

6) Thomas Jefferson by Cheryl Harness (TeachingBooks)

Publication Date- 2007
Readability Level- 5.2 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This book is about the sixth president of the United States and his
accomplishments throughout life. The illustrations throughout this biography bring
 the story to life. This story provides rich historical detail about Thomas Jeffersons
life.
Classroom Activity- Have students search for the many accomplishments of Thomas
Jefferson that are mentioned throughout the story. Students could create a character
map to discuss his accomplishments, which range from being a scientist, lawyer,
farmer, author of the Declaration of Independence, founder of the University of
Virginia etc.

7) Farmer George Plants a Nation by Peggy Thomas (TeachingBooks)

Publication Date- 2008
Readability Level- 6.2 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This story is a biography of George Washington and his accomplishments
throughout life. The story goes into detail about George Washington as a scientist,
farmer, and an inventor. This story focuses on Washingtons accomplishments as a
lifelong farmer and his interests in agriculture.
 Classroom Activity- Have students reflect on the story and George Washingtons life
by drawing a picture. The picture should include drawings of at least three
accomplishments Washington made in regards to agriculture.

8) Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette by

Selene Castrovilla (TeachingBooks)
Publication Date- 2013
Readability Level- 4.9 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This is a story about George Washington meeting the young Marquis de
Lafayette during the Revolutionary War. Lafayette is eager to meet his hero George
Washington, and wishes to fight in the Revolutionary War to defend America.
Classroom Activity- Have students create character maps of George Washington and
Marquis de Lafayette. The students should compare and contrast the two characters
and write a response paper about their relationship and why it is important.
9) Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American
Feud by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain (TeachingBooks)
Publication Date- 2011
Readability- 5.2 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This is a story about the friendship between Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams. This book tells the story of how two friends become enemies due to their
differing personalities and political views.
Classroom Activity- Have students predict what might happen throughout the story
by presenting them with a set of story words. Have the class discuss if they think
Jefferson and Adams will resolve their friendship by the end of the story; why or
why not? After the students read the story, have them write a reflection paper about
how their predictions differed or related to what actually happened.
10) Those Rebels, John & Tom by Barbara Kerley (TeachingBooks)
Publication Date- 2012
Readability- 6.3 (ATOS Reading Level)
Summary- This book tells the story of John Adams and Thomas Jeffersons
differences, despite their passion for the American colonies. Despite their
differences, Adams and Jefferson joined forces to fight for Americas freedom.
Classroom Activity- Have the students compare and contrast the two characters
using a concept map. Halfway through the story, have students predict whether they
think Adams and Jefferson will join forces despite their differences. Have students
use text from the story to back-up their predictions.
 References

Scholastic. (2017). Retrieved December 07, 2017, from

http://www.scholastic.com/ups/booklists/51121a23e4b0177ede5ed2aa?order=Ti

tle%3A%2BA%2Bto%2BZ&page=3&per_page=20&reading_level=Grade%2BLevel

%2BEquivalent&show_book_comments=on&view_as=Title%2B%2F%2BAuthor%2

BList#book-details/cleanup

TeachingBooks. (2017). Retrieved December 07, 2017, from

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=37718&a=1